March 2025

The op-ed section often features serious critiques on a variety of pressing issues on the local or national scene. Today, however, I’d like to delve into a topic that may seem trivial—unless you’re an English major or have a penchant for linguistic consistency. Let’s look at “State” versus “States” debate. Those that know me won’t be surprised to read this. Even my daughter marvels at how ‘pressed’ I am about this, but I need to get it out.

As a pediatrician who has been working in this state for over twenty years, I am deeply concerned about the rising threat of measles across the United States and what it could mean for Idaho. Recent outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico serve as a stark reminder that measles, a disease once thought to be eliminated in this country, is making a comeback. Sadly, at the end of February, an unvaccinated child in Texas died – the first U.S. death from measles in a decade. The alarming truth is that nearly all these cases are occurring in individuals who are unvaccinated. While Idaho has yet to experience an outbreak, we can’t afford to be complacent. The best protection for you, your family, and our shared community is ensuring everyone is up to date on their immunizations.